Climate Scorecard Ratings by Country
We created this scorecard based on the following important benchmarks that countries across the world need to reach in order to prevent the planet from warming beyond the 1.5 degrees Celsius tipping point which will result in widespread environmental and economic damage and loss of life. For more information on how we got to these ratings, view the breakdown of scoring below.
Our Considerations:
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Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023? (20 pts)
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Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030? (20 pts)
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Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030? (20 pts)
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Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050? (20pts)
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Has the country developed a plan for becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050? (20pts)
Ratings Key
Filter:
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
Yes.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
Yes. The E.U. submitted its enhanced NDC on the 18th of December 2020 and committed to reducing its emissions by 55% by 2030 based on 1990 levels.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030?
Yes. The European Green Deal includes a plan to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030 based on 1990 levels.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
Yes. The E.U. has committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050.
5. Has the country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
Yes. The E.U. aims to be climate-neutral by 2050. The objective is at the heart of the European Green Deal.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
Yes.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
Yes. Germany has increased its pledge to a 65% reduction in emissions compared with 1990 levels by 2030.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030?
Yes. Germany’s original Climate Action Plan 2050 (submitted in 2016) committed the country to 55% reduction in emissions compared to 1990 by 2030. This goal was set with carbon neutrality by 2050 in mind.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
Germany has committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2045, as outlined in its updated 2021 Climate Action Law.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
Yes. Germany published the Climate Action Plan 2050 with an expressed goal of achieving Carbon neutrality by 2050. The 2021 Climate Action Law also added in interim goals of 88% reductions by 2040 to keep Germany on track for its 2045 carbon neutrality.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
Yes.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson has vowed to cut emissions by 68% by 2030 based on 1990 levels and confirmed it with the submission of their NDC on 11th of December 2020.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030?
Yes. The country recently strengthened this plan in an updated NDC.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
The United Kingdom has committed to being Carbon Neutral by 2050.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
Yes. The United Kingdom published The Clean Growth Strategy in 2017 stating that the country was committed to an 80 % reduction in emissions as compared to 1990 levels by 2050. This plan is not specifically related to carbon neutrality, but it does provide a framework for future plans. The country failed to mention carbon neutrality in its most recent NDC.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
Yes.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
Yes. France along with the E.U. has committed to reducing its emissions by 55% from 1990 levels by 2030. Additionally, in 2015 France established the Energy Transition act (Brief, Full Version) defining how France would reduce GHG emissions. The specific goals commit France to reducing emissions by 40% of its 1990 levels by 2030.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030?
Yes, in conjunction with the E.U. France will reduce its emissions by 55% of the 1990 levels by 2030.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
Yes. France has committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050. The Energy Transition Act committed France to reduce emissions by 75% below the 1990 mark by 2050 in 2015. It is still to be seen whether France will update this goal.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
No. The Energy Transition Act was the first long-term strategy published by France with mention of a transition to a low-carbon economy. While the policy does not completely move France to Carbon Neutrality it did begin the process.
Nota Bene: France currently has 108 policies in place to address their GHG emissions. On November 8th, 2019, President Macron signed into law Loi n° 2019-1147 du 8 novembre 2019 relative à l’énergie et au climat which serves as the legal basis for which to meet the Paris Agreement commitments and attain carbon neutrality by 2050 by drastically reducing emissions. With an aim to decrease the consumption of fossil fuels by 60% of 2012 levels by 2030, the law contains several concrete measures to do so including: improve energy-efficient of buildings (measures commencing in 2021-2023) and decreasing emissions from electricity generation by closing all coal power plants by 2022 and limiting the use of the most pollution emitting plants.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
Yes.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
Yes. Spain in conjunction with the E.U. submitted a plan to reduce emissions by 55% based on 1990 levels by 2030.
Additionally, Spain has partnered with the UNDP, Germany, and the EU to help other countries fulfill their commitments as well. It is one of the top E.U. countries in terms of commitment to the Paris Pledge.
3. Has the country submitted a plan to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
Yes. Spain signed the E.U. Climate Law to reduce emissions by 55% based on 1990 levels by 2030.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
Spain is 100% committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050. The government posts some reports and articles elaborating on the topic, one of which can be found here.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
Spain remains a firm partner and leader of the European Union climate plan. With Spain’s solar and wind energy strength, the outlook is positive; nonetheless, projections of climate change in the Spanish Mediterranean climate are not hopeful if the 2050 Carbon Neutral plan is not strictly followed.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
Yes. Italy is a part of the E.U. and is under their NDC pledges.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
Yes. Italy in conjunction with the E.U. submitted a plan to reduce emissions by 55% based on 1990 levels by 2030. Italy had only committed to a 33% reduction compared with 2005 levels, but in March the Ecology Minister stated that their new goal was a 60% emissions reduction by 2030.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030?
Not yet.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
Italy has committed to this goal in conjunction with the European Union.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
No.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
No.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No. South Korea increased its pledge from a 28% to a 40% reduction compared with the base year of 2018 levels.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
Yes.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
Yes. The Ministry of Trade commissioned this report to plan for transitioning the electricity market to net zero. The government also unveiled two roadmaps to guide the entire country’s transition to carbon neutrality.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
Yes.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No. Canada has only pledged to a 40%-45% reduction in emissions by 2030.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No. However, if Canada implemented every policy from its December 2020 plan in addition to following its 2021 NDC pledge and the declarations the country signed at COP26, it is likely they could reach a 50% reduction in emissions.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
Yes. Canada has committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050. They have yet to enshrine that target into law or release a plan to achieve it.
It is of note that Canada is one of 10 members of the ‘Under2 Coalition’ of states and regions committed to climate action. Members of the Under2 Coalition commit to long term decarbonization in line with the Paris Agreement by planning their pathway to 2050 and are transparent with their climate action by disclosing their progress every year.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
Yes. The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, introduced in Parliament on November 19, 2020, will formalize Canada’s target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and establish a series of interim emissions reduction targets at 5-year milestones toward that goal. A permanent independent net-zero advisory body of up to 15 experts, is providing advice to the government on the most efficient and effective ways to reach this goal.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
Yes.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
Yes. It is important to note that Ukraine currently has emissions 60% less than the 1990s levels. Ukraine has intentions to develop its economy without exceeding 65% of 1990 emission levels.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030
Yes.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
No. They have committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2060.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
No, but they have submitted a plan for 2060. However, the country is concerned that it will not be able to afford many of its carbon-reducing plans. The recent war is devastating for the country and will likely impact its climate commitments and goals.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
No.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No. Australia recently updated its pledge to a 43% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 compared with the base year of 2030 but falls short of the ideal 50% reduction.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 2030 by 50%?
No. However, the country’s recent update commits government agencies to net zero by 2030.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
Yes.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
Yes. Australia has announced its Long Term Emissions Reduction Plan that will allow it to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The plan focuses on reducing the costs of emissions reductions for the private sector while incentivizing low emissions technology adaptations. According to sources, this seems unlikely to be achieved after their 2021-2022 budget did not allocate any funds to renewable resource investment and instead funds more fossil fuel support.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
Yes.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
Yes. Poland in conjunction with the E.U. submitted a plan to reduce emissions by 55% based on 1990 levels by 2030.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No. Poland is not making significant progress toward its EU commitments.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
While the E.U. has collectively committed to carbon neutrality, Poland individually has not. However, the capital, Warsaw, has.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
No.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
No.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
Yes. Brazil’s second update commits the country to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030 as compared with 2005 levels.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No. While Brazil’s second update increased its pledge from 43% to 50%, it also created a new calculation scheme for the 2005 base year emissions. Unfortunately, this new measure of emissions increases the total number of carbon tonnes that the country “can” emit under the agreement. This pledge will allow more total carbon emissions by 2030 than their original commitment from 2015.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
Yes. The country published a letter to the UNFCC as a form of an updated NDC in 2021 that commits to carbon neutrality by 2050 instead of their previous goal of 2060.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
No. The letter serves as a precursor to a carbon-neutral plan.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
No.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
Almost! Japan has committed to reducing its emissions by 46% by 2030 compared with the fiscal year 2013 levels and their updated NDC mentions striving for a 50% reduction.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030?
Not yet.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
Japan committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050 in October 2020.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
No, the country has a roadmap towards carbon neutrality that has not yet been updated in 2022. Additionally, the city of Tokyo has extensive plans and a cap-and-trade emissions scheme to become carbon neutral by 2050.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
Yes.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
Yes. The United States has updated its pledge to a 50-52% emissions reduction compared to 2005 emissions levels by 2030.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030?
Not yet. The president recently announced plans to declare a climate emergency. This could initiate stronger planning and implementation efforts.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
The president has expressed a goal for the United States to become carbon neutral but it remains to be seen if this is a real commitment.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
No. I will note that the United States developed the United States Mid-Century Strategy For Deep Decarbonization which provided pathways for the country to reduce emissions by 80% below 2005 levels by 2050.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
Yes.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
Yes. Russia has proposed an updated target that would reduce emissions by up to 70% compared to 1990 levels.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No. The current NDC restricts emission growth to 30% below 1990 levels. Currently, Russia’s emissions stand at 50% below 1990 levels and it is quite possible they will not reach 30% by 2030. The recent war with Ukraine could shift this trend at least temporarily.
Consequently, we must view Russia’s new NDC as an emissions growth limitation target and not a true reduction.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
Russia has not committed to Carbon Neutrality.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
No.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
Yes.
2. Does the updated pledge commit the country to make a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030?
No. India’s Nationally Determined Contribution commits India to reduce the emission intensity of its economy by 45% by 2030 compared to the 2005 level.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No.
Updated policies are not committed to being compliant with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global temperatures to a 1.5 Celsius increase. However, it is important to note that “independent assessments show that India’s commitments are keeping with the Paris Agreement goal of keeping temperature increase to well below 2 degrees Celsius. More recent independent assessments find that India is likely to meet its goals, particularly on increasing non-fossil generation capacity and reducing emissions intensity, ahead of the deadline set by India in its Paris climate pledges.”
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
At this moment India has not committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050. India has officially committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2070.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
No. The country has just begun plans for becoming carbon neutral by 2070.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
No.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
Mexico’s most recent NDC commits the country to reducing all greenhouse gas emissions by 35% compared with a business-as-usual scenario by 2030. The country claims that it will be able to reduce emissions by 40% by 2030 only with international financial support. Furthermore, this commitment reduced the country’s peak emissions year from 2026 to 2025.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No. The most recent NDC includes mitigation and adaptation plans by sector for the 35% reduction goal.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
Mexico has committed to being Carbon Neutral by 2050.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
Mexico has not developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050. It is important to note that the Mid Century Strategy policy published in 2016 committed Mexico to a 50% reduction from the baseline by 2050 with more ambitious goals dependent upon regional involvement from the United States and Canada.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
No.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No. Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution indicates that the country has committed to an unconditional 20% reduction by 2030 and a 47% conditional reduction (dependent on international partners) by 2030. These projections are based on emission levels from 2010-2014. (UNFCCC, NDC Staging Nigeria)
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
No. The country has committed to Carbon Neutral by 2060. However, the state of Lagos has committed to this goal by 2050. This is notable due to the urban coastal environment and high population.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
No. The country has not yet published the laws that would implement the carbon neutrality by 2060 goal.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
No.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030?
China’s Nationally Determined Contribution has a series of goals for reducing its emissions by 2030. These plans include but are not limited to:
Peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 or earlier.
Lower carbon dioxide emissions per unit by GDP by 65% from the 2005 level.
Increase consumption of non-fossil fuels to around 25%.
Increase the forest stock volume by 6 billion cubic meters from the 2005 level.
Bring its total installed capacity of wind and solar power to over 1.2 billion kilowatts by 2030.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
No. China has not committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050 instead saying they will meet that goal by 2060. Their 2021 NDC aims for carbon neutrality “before” 2060.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
No. China has not developed a plan yet, but according to their 2021 NDC update, they are currently developing an action plan for peaking carbon emissions and then achieving neutrality. They are also formulating a document, “Opinions on Full, Accurate and Comprehensive Implementation of New Development Philosophy to Well Execute Tasks for CO2 Emission Peak and Carbon Neutrality and the Action Plan for Carbon Dioxide Peaking before 2030” that will address these topics.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
No.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No. The updated pledge commits to emission reductions of 30% below the business as usual (BAU) level by 2030 and could be increased to 40% with international support.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
Yes. The most recent NDC confirms the commitment to carbon neutral by 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
No. Thailand has not released a comprehensive climate change mitigation plan.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
No.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No. South Africa has set a range of carbon emissions as their goal by 2030: “annual GHG emissions will be in a range from 350-420 Mt CO2-eq”. This does not represent a 50% decrease in carbon emissions.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
The government approved a long-term vision of Carbon Neutral by 2050 but they have not committed to it or put it into legislation.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
No.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
No.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No. Indonesia’s Nationally Determined Contribution commits to an unconditional reduction of 31.89% of its greenhouse gas emissions compared to the business as usual scenario by the year 2030. The country has also committed to a 43.20% conditional emissions reduction with international support.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No. The current commitment is also disproportionately small compared to the amount that Indonesia emits. The BAU as a base year allows the country to emit more because it accounts for their non-sustainable economic development plans.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
While the country of Indonesia has not committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050, the city of Jakarta has committed to this goal. The country’s most recent NDC commits the country to carbon neutrality by 2060.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
No.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
No. Iran has not ratified the Paris agreement yet and has only submitted an Initial NDC.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No. There is no updated pledge.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No. Iran’s NDC states the following: “On the basis of national capabilities, financial resources available and requirements of the national development program, taking into account GHGs emission scenarios, the Islamic Republic of Iran intends to participate by mitigating its GHGs emission in 2030 by 4% compared to the Business As Usual (BAU) scenario.” They have stated a possible conditional goal of a 12% reduction.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
No.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
No.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
No.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
There is no updated pledge. Saudi Arabia’s energy minister Prince Abdulaziz announced on October 30, 2019, the plans to launch the kingdom’s carbon trading schemes as a way to meet targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He added that the kingdom currently operates the largest carbon capture and utilization plant in the world, turning half a million tons of CO2 annually into products such as fertilizers and methanol and running one of the region’s most advanced CO2-enhanced oil recovery plants that capture and stores 800,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually. These plans represent a “Business as Usual” approach that doesn’t significantly reduce emissions.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
No. Saudi Arabia has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2060 but claims that it will continue to sell oil for the foreseeable future.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
No.
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023?
No.
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030?
No. Turkey has not submitted any NDC.
3. Has the country submitted a plan for reducing its emissions by 2030 50%?
No. Turkey’s current climate policies will leave emissions an astounding 150% above 2010 levels by 2030 according to Climate Action Tracker.
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050?
No. Turkey did announce plans for carbon neutrality by 2053.
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050?
No.
Ratings Calculation
1. Has the country committed to updating its pledge to 50% emissions reductions by 2023? (20 pts)
- Yes = 20 points
- No = 0 points
2. Has the country already pledged to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030? (20 pts)
- Yes (50%) = 20 points
- Pledged (>49%) = 10 points
- No = 0 points
3. Has the country submitted a plan to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2030? (20 pts)
- Yes (50%) = 20 points
- Pledged (>49%) = 10 points
- No = 0 points
4. Has the country committed to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050? (20 pts)
- Yes = 20 points
- Partial = 10 points
- No = 0 points
5. Has the Country developed a plan for becoming carbon neutral by 2050? (20 pts)
- Yes = 20 points
- Partial = 10 points
- No = 0 points
Total Points Out of 100 = Country Score